West Orange Schools: Masks Now Optional Indoors When It Gets Hot

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Does your child have to wear a face mask when attending school in West Orange? Check the weather forecast, the district’s superintendent says.

Recently, Gov. Phil Murphy said that masks are optional for school districts in extreme heat.

"As a reminder to all school officials, our current masking requirements do include exceptions for cases of extreme heat in outdoor settings and for situations indoors or outdoors where wearing a mask would inhibit the individual's health," Murphy said.

School districts across New Jersey have been taking different approaches to the issue. In West Orange, Superintendent Scott Cascone said earlier this month that students were being “encouraged” to attend in-person instruction wearing a mask.

• See related article: Students In West Orange 'Encouraged' To Wear Masks As Heat Rises

But in a Friday update, Cascone said masks will be “optional” whenever the temperature and humidity are forecasted to hit certain levels.

According to Cascone:

“After a follow up consultation with Dr. Kelly, the district physician has provided the following recommendations which the district will be applying for the remainder of this school year. Masks will no longer be required outdoors and will be optional indoors when the temperature is greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is 85 percent or higher. For the remainder of the year, I will monitor the daily forecast and provide an email in advance of the school day to the faculty and administration to advise whether it is a mask optional day. Students will be advised to come prepared daily for both.”

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